Thousands graduate CSUF, hear Lasorda speech

Graduates with a Masters of Arts in Psychology congratulate each other during the 2011 Annual Commencement Ceremonies for Cal State Fullerton on Saturday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

FULLERTON – It took Andrew Dunphy two tries before making it to Saturday's university graduation ceremony.

Dunphy first started classes at Cal State Fullerton shortly after finishing high school as part of a scholarship program for former foster children. With his newly-found freedom, he joined a fraternity, started drinking, fell into a depression and dropped out.

But Dunphy came back to school and became eligible to participate in ceremonies Saturday.

He was among about 10,000 students able to participate in Saturday and Sunday's events on the Fullerton campus. About 50,000 people were expected to attend exercises Saturday and Sunday.

At Saturday's event, Tommy Lasorda, former Dodgers manager and baseball legend, gave the commencement address before about 19,000 people at the main ceremony. Parents lined up along barricades to snap pictures as black-robed students filed in for more than half an hour to the event on the athletic field.

Dunphy was one of 10 participants of the Guardian Scholars program, designed for former foster children, to qualify for bachelor's and master's degrees during this weekend's ceremonies. He is the only student in the 13-year-old program to drop out and return to graduate.

Dunphy became a foster child at age 3, coming from parents who had substance-abuse problems. He and his two older siblings lived in a house with his parents, uncle, grandmother and great grandmother. His grandmother and uncle were hoarders, making the house "a wreck," he said.

The children bounced around between different foster parents and group homes before Dunphy, separated from his siblings, landed with a long-term family at age 8. There, Dunphy said he was able to thrive in school and ended up qualifying for the Guardian Scholars program.

But the first year in college was tough and Dunphy had to drop out. He moved around with friends and worked in sales for about four years before starting back at Fullerton College. After earning his associate's degree, Dunphy asked if he could come back to the Guardian Scholars program, which welcomed him.

"They were so proud of me for working my way back in, they already knew they were going to let me back in," Dunphy said.

Now, Dunphy said his future is looking bright. He has a few more summer classes to finish up and plans to start a job as a human-resources assistant. Eventually, he would like to start his own psychology firm to help struggling businesses.

At home, he has a fiancée and a 7-month-old son, Aiden. They were at Saturday's graduation ceremonies, along with friends.

"I feel like a firework and I am going to let my colors show while I conquer life," Dunphy, 27, said after the Saturday morning ceremony.

Dunphy said he felt a sense of accomplishment and loved Lasorda's words.

Lasorda, a long-time Fullerton resident and Dodgers executive, gave a 12-minute speech about following dreams. He gave anecdotes about his own career.

When he was about 15 years old, Lasorda said he used to have dreams about pitching at Yankee Stadium. Years later, when he was about to pitch in New York, he said, "I looked around and said, 'I've been here many times, but in a dream.' You've got a dream. If you want something bad enough, it could become a dream for you."

Lasorda told the crowd about the importance of self confidence, based on a conversation with sportscaster Vin Scully before taking over as Dodgers manager in 1976. Scully asked Lasorda if he felt pressure about following in his predecessor's footsteps.

"I'm worried about the guy who is going to replace me," Lasorda said he told Scully about his approach. "All the sudden, I become superior."

Lasorda also said, "I know you are going to run across tough times. Tough times never last, but tough people do."

Related Links

Graduates with a Masters of Arts in Psychology congratulate each other during the 2011 Annual Commencement Ceremonies for Cal State Fullerton on Saturday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Graduate Allison Guhr connects with family in the audience during the 2011 Annual Commencement Ceremonies for Cal State Fullerton on Saturday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Graduates and candidates wave at themselves during the 2011 Annual Commencement Ceremonies for Cal State Fullerton on Saturday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
From behind a fence, Margraret Townsend of Santa Ana gets the attention of her nephew, graduate in engineering Ryan Beckman, during the 2011 Annual Commencement Ceremonies for Cal State Fullerton on Saturday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Human services graduate Mitzi Herman of Costa Mesa listens as Tommy Lasorda gives the keynote speech during the 2011 Annual Commencement Ceremonies for Cal State Fullerton on Saturday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Human services graduate Vanessa Perez, left, helps Janette Lujan, a graduate in sociology, adjust her tassel from right to left during the 2011 Annual Commencement Ceremony for Cal State Fullerton on Saturday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
School of Psychology graduate candidate Andrew Dunphy, 21, of Brea, communicates with his family from his seat during the 2011 Annual Commencement Ceremonies for Cal State Fullerton on Saturday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Certificate folders, with a promise of a diploma, wait to be handed out during the School of Psychology's 2011 Annual Commencement Ceremonies for Cal State Fullerton on Saturday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
School of Psychology graduate Laura Tidwell of Corona wears her "bucket List" on her cap during the 2011 Annual Commencement Ceremonies for Cal State Fullerton on Saturday morning. KEN STEINHARDT, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.